The Detroit Lions might now have a rivalry brewing with the Indiana Fever. While the Fever prepare for the stretch run and a potential playoff berth, the Lions are building momentum for their 2025 campaign.
But interactions between both cities are about to get more interesting.
One specific Indiana Fever player is facing backlash over recent remarks made about Detroit:
The Fever guard stirred controversy this week when she openly criticized several U.S. cities in response to the WNBA’s expansion announcement.
The league plans to add three new teams by the end of the decade: Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030.
When asked about this, Cunningham aimed some tough words at both Cleveland and Detroit.
“You’ve got to listen to players, too. Where do they want to be?” Cunningham said Tuesday.
“Where are they going to feel excited to play and attract fans?… I’m not sure how thrilled people are about heading to Detroit or [Cleveland].”
Cleveland Cavaliers stars Donovan Mitchell and Tristan Thompson quickly took exception to the comments and fired back at Cunningham online.
Also on Tuesday, Detroit Lions offensive lineman Dan Skipper responded to Cunningham’s remarks with his own.
Posting on X, Skipper defended Detroit as a quality sports town.
“You ever been there? It’s a great place to play, well maybe not for you now,” Skipper posted.
Indiana’s 74-59 win over Minnesota Tuesday wasn’t just a routine regular-season game.
Without star Caitlin Clark, the 8-8 Fever captured their first WNBA championship by winning the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup final over the 14-2 Lynx.
Sophie Cunningham came up big in Clark’s absence, scoring 13 points and grabbing seven boards off the bench. She hit three of five threes and was plus-18 in 25 minutes.
The Commissioner’s Cup is more than a trophy and title.
It also comes with a $500,000 prize pool shared among the winning squad’s players.
